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(No Model.)

S. B. BACON.

CLASP. I No. 446,564. Patented Feb. 1'7, 189 1.

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SHERMAN B. BACON, OF IVATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO CHARLES M. UPSON.

CLAS P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 446,564, dated February 17, 1891. Application filed August 16,1890. sen'n No. 362,174. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SHERMAN B. BACON, a citizen of the United States, residing at W'aterbury, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to garment-clasps; and it consists of a base-piece of thin metal having a tongue projecting therefrom, a movable slide on such base-piece to open and close the tongue, and means to lock the tongue in a closed condition.

To more fully understand my invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference thereon, forming a part of this specification.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the clasp. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the clasp in a closed condition. Fig. 3 represents a top plan view. Fig. I represents a bottom plan view. Figs. 5 and 6 represent detail views. Fig. 7 represents the clasp atand a bosom-plait.

Its construction and operation are follows:

1 represents the base-piece; :2, the tongue; 3, the slide; 4, upper bar of the slide to engage the uppersurface of the tongue; 5, lower bar of the slide to engage the under side of the tongue; 6, projection on the upper surface of the tongue to prevent the slide becoming accidentally displaced when the clasp is closed; 7 and 8, retaining-points projecting from the surface of the base-piece.

It has been customary heretofore in the construction of clasps having the base and tongue of one piece to employ hard spring metal in order to give proper resiliency to the tongue. Care must, however, be exercised in the selection of material having just the amount of elasticity required. If too hard, it will soon break at the junction of the tongue and base; and if too soft, will refuse to let go of the fabric when the constraint is removed, thus causing considerable annoyance and trouble.

In my device a thin non-elastic metal may be used, and, in fact, is preferred, as it will stand any amount of fatigue without breaking. The tongue in its movement's, either in opening or closing, is controlled entirely by the slide. Therefore the element of elasticity does not enter as a factor in the selection of material for the manufacture of the clasp.

The tongue 2 is formed in the usual than V ner of such devices by simply breaking down a portion of the base-piece, as seen in views 3 and l. At the sameoperation and in the same manner the retainingpoints 7 and 8 are formed. The slide is blanked in one piece, as seen at Fig. 5, which represents the first operation. The bar 5 is depressed, as shown in Fig. (3. The bar l is upraised, thns1eaving the opening 9, through which the tongue 2 is introduced. The extreme ends 10 of the slide are bent to embrace the base-piece 1, (see Fig. 4,) and move longitudinally and freely thereon. The tongue, it will be observed, is placed between the bars 4.- and 5. Sufficient space is left between the bars, so that they will not interfere with one another when either are engaged with the tongue.

Fig. 1 represents the clasp in a position to be attached to the piece of fabric 11. The slide 3 is moved forward. The bar 4 engages the upper surface of the tongue. Said tongue is depressed. The retaining-points 12 of the tongue engage the fabric as well as the points 8 of the base-piece. The slide 3 is carried over the projection 6 of the tongue, thus looking such tongue in a closed position, as shown in Fig. 2. Said projection is formed by a depression of the metal from the under side of the tongue, as seen at Fig. l. The extreme ends 13 13 of such projection are slightly beveled, so that the slide will, with a little pressure on the lip ll of such slide, ride oversuch projection. \Vheu the slide is moved back, the lower bar 5 will engage the under side of the tongue and force the same upward to its former position, (shown in Fig. 1,) and hold it in such upraised position.

The retaining-points 7 are longer than the points 8, as such points are intended for pen manent fastenings to a garment-sucl1, for instance, as the scarf 15, (shown in Fig. 7,) or to any article required. In place of the points 7, holes could be punched through the basepiece and the clasp attached by means of needle and thread. A clasp, as above described, is not only cheaply constructed, but exceedingly light and durable as well.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in-a garment-clasp of the character described, of the base-piece 1, tongue 2, projecting therefrom in the manner substantially as shown, and means, substantially as shown, on said base-piece and tongue to engage with the fabric, slide 3, having opening 0 therein to admit the tongue, projecting ends 10 of said slide, formed in the manner substantially as shown, to engage with the base-piece, said slide arranged to be moved thereon, the npraised bar l of said slide engaging the upper surface of the tongue, closing the same in its forward movement, the bar 5 of said slide engaging with the under side of said tongue to raise or uplift said tongue when such slide is moved in the opposite direction and retain it in such raised position, substantially as set forth.

2. In a garment-clasp of the character described, the slide 3, constructed of one piece of metal inthe manner substantially as shown, consisting of the projecting ends 10, said ends arranged, substantially as shown, to engage with the base-piece of the clasp, said slide having opening 9 to admit the tongue of the base-piece, projecting lip 14:, said lip bent at right angles to the body of the slide, that the opening 9 may be parallel with said body portion, thereby forming the bars 4 and 5 to engage alternately with the upper and lower surface of the tongue of the base-piece, as set forth.

3. The combination, in a garment-clasp of the character described, of the base-piece 1, tongue 2, projecting therefrom, retainingpoints on said base-piece and tongue, substantially as shown, to engage with the fabric, slide 3, made of one piece of metal, having ends or projections 10, formed substantially as shown, to engage the base-piece, said slide having opening 9 to admit the tongue of the base-piece, said opening arranged parallel with the base-piece and the movement of the slide, bars 4 and 5 of said slide,such bars engaging alternately with the upper and lower surface of the tongue in the forward and backward movement of said slide, raising and depressin'g said tongue, as shown, with projection 0 on said tongue, engaging with the slide, locking the same when closed, all substantially as shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SHERMAN B. EACON. \Vitnesses:

B. G. BRYAN, C. M. UPSON. 

